Pre-Order Heavy Rain or Get Screwed

[Evil Avatar]

http://evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/heavyrain_preorder.jpg

In one of the more obscene pre-order scams, Sony has announced (http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/12/pre-order-heavy-rain-and-get-the-heavy-rain-chronicles/) that unless you Pre-Order their upcoming Playstation 3 exclusive quicktime-event-driven adventure title, Heavy Rain, you will get fucked out of a $4.99 DLC mission.

I’m Jefferson Dong, the SCEA Marketing Manager for Heavy Rain, and I have some great news for those of you anxiously awaiting the release of Heavy Rain. Get ready to place your pre-orders for this PS3 exclusive title because we’ve got something special for you. When you pre-order your copy of Heavy Rain at participating retailers, you will receive the first episode of The Heavy Rain Chronicles (valued at $4.99 each episode) titled, “Heavy Rain: Chronicle One – The Taxidermist,” which will be available (only to those who pre-order) when Heavy Rain hits store shelves. The Heavy Rain pre-order program begins TODAY!

What exactly are The Heavy Rain Chronicles? Each Chronicle will offer unique, stand-alone, playable short stories featuring one of Heavy Rain’s main characters, and a storyline taking place either before or after Heavy Rain’s original narrative. Similar to Heavy Rain, each episode will offer a unique journey and different outcomes based on the players’ decisions and actions.

Thanks, Jefferson. You reminded me why companies that cut content out of their titles to use as DLC are scum AND why companies that have exclusive pre-order bonus items are scum. A two-for-one.

[ElfShotTheFood]

Ha ha. "Dong."

That's all I've got.

[Mantooth]

I think that the SCEA Marketing Manager was in a movie I watched the other night.

[Ozymandias]

Just a nit, but "order" is spelled wrong in the title as "oder". Perhaps appropriate, but... ;)

[Evil Avatar]

Just a nit, but "order" is spelled wrong in the title as "oder". Perhaps appropriate, but... ;)

Freud would be proud.

[gzsfrk]

Thanks, Jefferson. You reminded me why companies that cut content out of their titles to use as DLC are scum AND why companies that have exclusive pre-order bonus items are scum. A two-for-one.
Ha! Look at Evil now swinging into the anti-Sony camp.

Truly, he's a man against all flags. Errol Flynn would be proud. :)

[HALO 32]

Blunt and straight to the point, I like that.

I will pre-order Heavy Rain...when I get an official release date.

I would imagine that will be very soon.

[Vandenh]

After I saw screenshots of a guy sitting on Mars in this game... I am not excited. On paper a dynamic QT driven game could be fun I guess, but I have little faith.

[DarkestHour00]

Dirty Dirty Dirty

[wtfgamer]

Hold on...

The Taxidermist was a demo made for Heavy Rain and shown to journalists over 2 years ago. They said it had nothing to do with the story of Heavy Rain and was designed to give journos a taste without spoiling the real game like all the freaking play thrus have been doing. Now they are selling the demo as a prequel. I'd always assumed it would be released free to promote the launch. Preorder bs is starting to bite.

[modeps]

I'd certainly like to play Heavy Rain... but I don't want to deal with this crap.

[dirtbag]

This doesn't completely offend me -- you have to have some sort of incentive to pre-order, and it isn't necessary to the storyline, so what's the big deal? Would you rather pre-order and get exactly what some guy walking into Best-Buy will get on day 1 for the same price?

[lockwoodx]

Thanks, Jefferson. You reminded me why companies that cut content out of their titles to use as DLC are scum.

I was just having a conversation about this the other day regarding L4D2.

[Orz]

I was just having a conversation about this the other day regarding L4D2.

There wasn't really much of a pre-order bonus for L4D2, except for a baseball bat everyone seems to get anyway, and a discount for pre-ordering on Steam.

If you ask me, that's textbook about how pre-purchases should work. No real actual bonus material, but a discount of 5-10%. It respects the time value of money, and if you prepurchase the day before release, you get a better savings than a return on any other kind of investment would give you (assuming you were going to buy the game anyway).

In a bizarre way, this HR preorder bonus could be even more of a return on your investment. The caveat is you would have to have the intention of buying the DLC regardless of this offer. If you plunk down $5 towards the purchase price of the buncle the day before launch, you get a $5 discount on the bundle. If you had no intention of buying the DLC, there's no loss if you pass on the deal. I don't think there's much cause for anger, unless you intended to buy the DLC but missed out on this offer.

[VorianScript]

Thanks, Jefferson. You reminded me why companies that cut content out of their titles to use as DLC are scum AND why companies that have exclusive pre-order bonus items are scum. A two-for-one.
I still think DLC was the begining of the end. It all started when we all bought horse armor.

[bean19]

Day One DLC pisses me off.

[abso]

If the DLC were FREE to those that pre-ordered, but 5 dollars to everyone else, that would be a legitimate reason to pre-order. Having to pre-order something specifically so I can spend another 5 dollars for DLC is ludicrous. God I fucking hate the business side of the games industry now.

[wastedyears]

Now all they have to do is make up some bullshit excuse for why the DLC is available from day one, just like Bioware did. Or maybe they will make people buy the DLC so they can have extra inventory space, just like Bioware did. And maybe they can have some annoying character in the game pester the player to purchase the DLC, just like Bioware did.

[dfr]

Looks like i won't be picking this up on release. I just can't imagine what (back-)story dlc will have for a game whose sole purpose is telling a murder mystery. And since the Chronicles part is completely unnumbered and there is no way to figure out how far relevant it is at all without reviews on unknown content i'll just put it off till the game is either determined a fail (screw you Fahrenheit ending) or there is an inevitable bundle years down the line.

[Capt_Thad]

If the DLC were FREE to those that pre-ordered, but 5 dollars to everyone else, that would be a legitimate reason to pre-order. Having to pre-order something specifically so I can spend another 5 dollars for DLC is ludicrous. God I fucking hate the business side of the games industry now.

Pretty sure they're saying you get the DLC, valued at $4.99, for free if you pre-order. I think the upset here is that not only will the game have Day 1 DLC, but the article implies that it won't be available at release unless you pre-order.

Doesn't bother me too much either way, games have been doing special content available for pre-orders that isn't available otherwise, or becomes available after a few months delay, for some time now. I also pre-order any game that's a day one purchase for me, so I like pre-order incentives. Just the industry trying to find a way to reward gamers that don't wait for the bargain bin or used game sales.

Not sure if I'm going to pre-order this or not. Fahrenheit was a good game, but I blew through it once in a few hours and was done with it. Waiting to see more info on this in terms of re-playability.

[BlackHatKid]

Perfect example of why I am against DLC anymore... either companies use it as a way to make sure you buy their product IMMEDIATELY,

or DLC is used as a way to fix problems in the software the company didn't address during production.

SUCH BULLSHIT!

[bean19]

I'm going to play devil' advocate a bit here because there are reasons why game companies do preorder bonuses and Day One DLC:

1. In the past, this would simply be a preorder bonus. There would not be a DLC option because it wasn't available. Game companies have had preorder bonuses for years and years because they want their games to have large initial sales that will make game retailers purchase additional store copies. More availability in stores = more sales.

2. Games get to content completion long before they are cleared through QA. Before you can iron out bugs, your game designers, writers, etc. need to have their work done. Allowing them to immediately begin work on smaller DLC allows them to continue working on a project instead of having a company need to put these people on a different project (or as is often the case) liquidate the jobs. So the existence of DLC when a game launches does not necessarily mean that the content should be in the main game.

Personally, I think this is bad form. Waiting even a few weeks after a game is out makes players believe that they are getting additional content even if it was developed over the last 6 months. If it can be added as DLC on Day One then it can be added to the main game on Day One. Additionally, there is a good chance that they'll ship this content on the disc rather than as a download and the DLC will simply unlock these features.

3. Finally, even though I don't like Day One DLC, it does not deter me from buying a game on Day One. I do not like to preorder as I now prefer to play games through Gamefly (though they are starting to suck and I'm reconsidering) before buying titles and then getting them at a slight discount if I like them enough to buy them. I'm actually pleased that this is offered as DLC as it means that I can Gamefly a game and not miss out on what would have previously been only available to people who preorder.

[lockwoodx]

Perfect example of why I am against DLC anymore... either companies use it as a way to make sure you buy their product IMMEDIATELY,

or DLC is used as a way to fix problems in the software the company didn't address during production.

SUCH BULLSHIT!

Amen brutha. This is the exact reason I've held back on purchasing Borderlands this long. It reeks of this kind of bullshit.

[donkeydrop]

Don't see anything wrong with this. They have some ideas for side stories, make them DLC, you get one for free with a pre-order. Nothing missing from the main game, nothing that gives an advantage over anyone else. Compared to some of the obnoxious pre-order and /or leave out of the box and put a one time code bs that other games have been doing (Forza, Uncharted 2, L4D2, AC2, Ratchet).

It won't make any difference to me anyway; I'll probably order from Amazon where it's $5 cheaper anyway. If they are running the bonus then even better, but until I play the game I have no idea whether I even care about DLC.

[Phinor]

What about those of us in countries that have no pre-order bonuses or chance to pre-order with bonuses? I guess our bonus is having to pay more for less because of 1€=1$?

[Your Good Twin]

I find it hard to get mad about this, and I don't think it's as clear as "Don't pre-order and you will miss an episode". I can't imagine a company will deny you wanting to give them money for extra DLC. In other words, it's probably just that you get the DLC for free if you pre-order, and then you can buy it for regular price either day-1 or on down the line. I'm fine with that kind of pre-order bonus (especially when I'm not going to pay $60 for what will probably be an 8-hour game anyway.)

[GrumpyM]

I really think this is in response to the used-game sales that are going on. When you buy a game used, the publisher gets nothing. So, why not make puchasing new more attractive?

GrumpyM

[Rangoth]

Boycotting this one.

[abso]

Pretty sure they're saying you get the DLC, valued at $4.99, for free if you pre-order. I think the upset here is that not only will the game have Day 1 DLC, but the article implies that it won't be available at release unless you pre-order.

You are correct. I take back my gamer rage. In fact, at the end of the article, it says:

"For those who don’t pre-order Heavy Rain, the first two episodes of Heavy Rain Chronicles will be available for purchase and download through the PlayStation Store after the release of Heavy Rain – the exact dates will be announced at a later date."

So for everyone else, you get Episode 1 AND 2 as DLC at a later date. If you pre-order, you get Ep 1 for free at launch, INSTEAD of having to wait until a later date.

This DLC is being properly handled. This is just another case of the news comment not actually matching the content of the news. I really wonder why I keep assuming this site tells the truth when commenting about games.

[spdiscus]

I really don't get why this is a bad thing.

[gzsfrk]

I really don't get why this is a bad thing.

It either bad or it's really bad, depending on what the situation actually is, the reality of which is as yet unclear.

If they're giving away the DLC to those who pre-order while making the content available to non-pre-order purchasers at a later date, then it's only bad because it's apparent that this will be content pulled from the game specifically for the purposes of selling it as DLC as well as using it in lieu of a legitimate pre-order bonus (Yay! Free digital ones and zeroes!).

However, if the pre-order bonus is that you have the right to buy the content on day one, while others will have to wait longer to do so, that's just some grade A, biodegrabeable crap right there. (ON TOP OF the same default crap from the first scenario.)

[techromage]

Bitch bitch bitch, moan, moan, waah wahh WAAAHH. Whatever I don't really care. I was gonna pre-order it anyway. I'm thinking either Heavy Rain and God of War 3 will be the first games I purchase for my inevitable (as in I don't have one yet) PS3. But only cuz no one has Demon's Souls Deluxe Edition. (Sure I could get the reg'lar edition but I heart that cover. It would look bad-ass on a poster or a t-shirt.)

But yes, as I understand it the story in the DLC is only ancillary to the main story in the game. So it's not ABSOLUTELY necessary that you play it. Therefore, you don't wanna buy (or pre-order) it, don't. Simple.

Now i don't know about you but if it's free it's for me. If you're buyin, I'm tryin. If you're payin I'm stayin. Know what I'm sayin?

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

All we need is a little transparency from one company about their production time line and the DLC they want to offer to calm everyone down. Ive never liked the concept for anything other than cosmetic changes, effecting the actual gameplay or storyline should never happen.

"Download additional content to view the rest of this post"

[spdiscus]

If they're giving away the DLC to those who pre-order while making the content available to non-pre-order purchasers at a later date, then it's only bad because it's apparent that this will be content pulled from the game specifically for the purposes of selling it as DLC as well as using it in lieu of a legitimate pre-order bonus (Yay! Free digital ones and zeroes!).
I still don't get it. (assumptions in 3...2...1...)It's an incentive, giving me free access to additional material unrelated to the storyline.
Just because something had been created before shipment doesn't mean it's relevant to the game you're playing. Especially with a game like this. I usually don't care for the movie-to-game comparison, but this game is meant to be a movie-like experience. If there's a scene that adds nothing to the core experience, keep it out, and drop it on the bonus features DVD. That filler shit is what keeps me from a lot of movies, and what puts me to sleep in others.

[spdiscus]

All we need is a little transparency from one company about their production time line and the DLC they want to offer to calm everyone down. Ive never liked the concept for anything other than cosmetic changes, effecting the actual gameplay or storyline should never happen.

"Download additional content to view the rest of this post"

What the hell business is it of mine how they go about development or when they plan on releasing DLC? Every dev house is going to have a different life cycle system, so even if you did have the projected date information, you'd be comparing apples to oranges. Some places would have everything done early, letting out bits and pieces as they see fit, and some places wouldn't have gold builds until the week of release.

[lockwoodx]

What the hell business is it of mine how they go about development or when they plan on releasing DLC? Every dev house is going to have a different life cycle system, so even if you did have the projected date information, you'd be comparing apples to oranges. Some places would have everything done early, letting out bits and pieces as they see fit, and some places wouldn't have gold builds until the week of release.

You made it your business when you defended it. We made it our business when we hated it. Everyone fails... but I had to point it out to you so some a little more than others.

[Nate Graves]

I love the tags on this one. 'sony scumbags'

I was going to preorder this shit anyway, and I honestly cannot work up the venomous rage that some of you are experiencing over this so...vote with your dollars, kids. Me? I just quit smoking and I'm eating out less. The fuck do I care about $5 DLC? That's a pack that I'd have killed in two days.

Relax.

[spdiscus]

You made it your business when you defended it. We made it our business when we hated it. Everyone fails... but I had to point it out to you so some a little more than others.

Cute. I don't think I'm defending it; I just don't think anyone has explained why it's bad.
My understanding: If you buy the game before launch, you get the first episode of the sequel for free.
My question: How is that harming someone who doesn't pre-order? How is that any different than getting the 15-minute Dark Knight trailer at an IMAX showing of, uh, I think it was I, Robot instead of the 3-minute trailer at a non-IMAX? Or getting the first chapter of 2010 when you buy mass market of 2001: A Space Odyssey? It seems like standard marketing to me, but I'm willing to listen if I've missed something.

I have no interest in bullshit back-and-forth where one of us 'fails' at something; I'd just like a better explanation of the argument.

In either case, can't we go the Johan route and wait six months to get everything on one disk for a third of the price?

[Steve Johnson]

I guarantee you it's on the disk and you're buying an unlock code. guaran-fucking-tee you.

[spdiscus]

I guarantee you it's on the disk and you're buying an unlock code. guaran-fucking-tee you.

The Taxidermist is the level that they were using for some press events, so it's probably been done for a while.
Are you saying that because it is complete and it's physically possible to put it on the same disk that you should own it when you buy the initial release product? What about digital editions of other products? I could buy a DVD of a movie for $9.99 or the bonus features edition for $14.99, and that could be delivered as a single disk in both cases. Maybe it's the same disk image apart from the initial menu screen. Dell/HP/etc. laptops come with everything on them, but you only unlock what you've licensed. Distribution efficiency decisions makes the conversation tougher for me to wrap my head around, but they keep things interesting.

The studio has decided that the episodes are a separate product, and I find it hard to be offended if their distribution method is via a disk that's already in your drive instead of using bandwidth for a future download. Either is fine for me.

Just from a software development standpoint, I have a tough time with customers who claim ownership of every branch of a product line because they've used one version.

I really think this is an interesting discussion, simply because everything is digital. I'd like to compare it to books, where an author may have a trilogy complete before I buy the first book, but I know that falls apart in points.

I think things like this are good Discourse topics, and it may have been a bad time for me to interject when this 'or Get Screwed' thread was created to illicit anger. (that wasn't meant to be as passive aggressive as it came out)

[spdiscus]

I feel I should admit my bias here for full disclosure. I work for an enterprise software company. We have a server, a fat client, and a thin client. It has always been one build, and it will always be on one disk. If you pay us $20k, you get a single server and 150 fat client connections. If you want to add 50 thin clients, you pay us another $5k or so to 'unlock' that via license string.

I agree with our distribution model, and I agree with our payment model. If we went without a license string, all customers could have triple-server systems with 3000 fat clients and 1000 thin clients. I think gaming is moving in that direction, where you pay more and get a little more. I don't have issue with it all being on one disk without me being able to see it.

Having said that, I don't agree with the 'pay more to finish this game' model. I think that's a valid complaint, but I don't think that's the situation with Heavy Rain. Maybe with Prince of Persia, but I never played the DLC, and I think the ending of the disk version was fantastic.

[TeeCakes]

I wonder where the self-righteous outrage on these boards was when this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_IV_The_After_Tsuki_no_Kikan) was "released" (in bi-monthly installments of 300-800 Wii Points, EACH).

SO. MUCH. WORSE.

[Anenome]

(translation:) Sure, Sony beats me, but your bruises look worse than mine!

The spin never ends with this guy.

[TeeCakes]

The spin never ends with this guy.

You obfuscate, but the point stands.

The lesser of the 3 corporate evils is by and large Sony, who a) doesn't force you to pay for their online service every year, b) doesn't shoplift your retro-gaming cravings with multi-purchase WiiWare "installment" titles like FF4: The After Years, and c) gives you FREE DLC as optional incentives (that aren't a key part of the storyline)

Oh, and didn't you click on my new sig? There's no need to spin for Sony when they've already won! :D

[bean19]

I wonder where the self-righteous outrage on these boards was when this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_IV_The_After_Tsuki_no_Kikan) was "released" (in bi-monthly installments of 300-800 Wii Points, EACH).
The outrage doesn't exist because no one gave a shit about a Wii DLC game (even a FF). People actually want to play Heavy Rain. The screaming was just as loud for Dragon Age's Day One DLC (actually quite a bit louder).

This isn't a console loving/hating issue.

[Apex]

God I fucking hate the business side of the games industry now.

Sorry but ... LOLS :D

[TeeCakes]

The outrage doesn't exist because no one gave a shit about a Wii DLC game (even a FF). People actually want to play Heavy Rain. The screaming was just as loud for Dragon Age's Day One DLC (actually quite a bit louder).

This isn't a console loving/hating issue.

Hmm, point taken. I do pity those Wii-only gamers out there that simply don't know any better this gen. :(

[Anenome]

The lesser of the 3 corporate evils is by and large Sony
I beg to differ, do you remember:

- The Sony rootkit fiasco
- Ridiculous, money-grubbing forced proprietary standards
- Charges 10-20% more than other companies for the exact same features for all their products.
- Sony pushed minidisc as a replacement for CDs
- PSP-GO forces you to re-buy the games you already own to upgrade
- Arrogance: "We have built up a certain brand equity over time since the launch of PlayStation in 1995 and PS2 in 2000 that the first five million are going to buy it [the PS3], whatever it is, even if it didn't have games." David Reeves, CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.
- PS3, $599 at launch. Kutaragi then says: "It’s probably too cheap." And, ""We want consumers to think to themselves ‘I will work more hours to buy one.’" And, "(On PS2’s tech) "Same interface. Same concept. Starting from next year, you can jack into The Matrix!"
- Too many more to mention really; the Japan iTunes fiasco, the whole Sony BMG world of badness, the Cell itself, exploding laptop batteries, the BS Sony Vaio in general, the FFXI "online-charge" scam, etc., etc.

Any reason is a good reason not to buy a Sony product. There's entire websites devoted to why people hate Sony. The company's been in decline since the early 90's and has been squirming, twisting in the wind, doing anything it can to just hold on. And it might actually get there yet.

This isn't an "i hate sony" post by any means, just a counter to Tea's unrational fanboyism. Sony's done some dastardly things. So has MS. Although, Sony does make Nintendo look like a saint generally and MS has never put a rootkit on my system :\

And if the PS4 does what I think it's going to do I'll buy one. Let's not defend the company. Take every product on its merits. That's why I can laud the wiimote, and then turn around as say Sony's wiimote copy is the best motion control solution for the next gen that I've seen yet. Fanboyism is wrong, Tea, WRONG.

[vallor]

Anenome said: a bunch of stuff that I totally agree with

Fanboyism is wrong, Tea, WRONG. However, Tee is correct in saying, at least in the gaming space, the 360 and Wii have had particularly bad showings this year.

I think it would be interesting to see the results of the previous years for this generation. I suspect the blinders are on a little too tight and the results over the entire generation will show that Sony is still struggling to pull 3rd.

[Anenome]

However, Tee is correct in saying, at least in the gaming space, the 360 and Wii have had particularly bad showings this year.

I think it would be interesting to see the results of the previous years for this generation. I suspect the blinders are on a little too tight and the results over the entire generation will show that Sony is still struggling to pull 3rd.
Well naturally. I don't blame Sony for competing on game quality, what other choice do they have. But I think it's telling that they wouldn't have 'won' on that metric if they weren't purchasing exclusives.

And also, it's ridiculous for Teacakes to choose a single metric, like the number of 8.5+ scoring games in a rear and declare a winner. Such reductionist critiques are completely infantile and ridiculous. All his signature proves is that you can have a good time no matter which console you bought, as all the systems had good games. If you applied the same reasoning to the PSX generation you'd probably have to conclude the N64 had 'won' compared to the PSX and all the shovelware it had also :P But that would be equally ridiculous.

Which console 'won' is not something anyone can decide for another. To me, the Wii won, since that's the only console I own currently. To other maybe the 360, or PS3 'won' since that's what they own. For some people, all three 'won' their dollars. For developers, which console 'won' largely is determined by the demographic the game you're making is for. If it's a young adult game, the Wii has clearly 'won.' If it's an advanced themes game, then the 360, or 360 and PS3 'won' meaning that multiplatform is more and more likely these days since the PS3 installed base has climbed significantly.

Want to know who's really winning this generation and every generation? We are. Gamers. End of story.

[bean19]

However, Tee is correct in saying, at least in the gaming space, the 360 and Wii have had particularly bad showings this year.

I think it would be interesting to see the results of the previous years for this generation. I suspect the blinders are on a little too tight and the results over the entire generation will show that Sony is still struggling to pull 3rd.

The Xbox 360 would be miles ahead. Even given Sony's great year, the Xbox 360 had almost three times as many exclusives with a metacritic rating of 80% or above than the PS3 prior to this year. I imagine they only have double that number now. The Wii fares a bit better having only had about half as many exclusives as the 360.

Some of that is releasing early, but the thing is. . . who cares? If you are arguing that someone should get console X because it has the most high quality exclusives then console X must = the 360.

That's not meant to burst Sony fan's bubble though. The PS3 got a HUGE price-drop and released the most and best exclusives this year. As a sign of improvement, this is huge. Let's hope Sony keeps it up.

[spdiscus]

Happy New Year. At midnight my pre-order delivery jumped to January 2012. Can't wait!

[TeeCakes]

LOL, I call a corporation "evil" and somehow that translates into "fanboyism"?

Don't blame me for IGN singling the PS3 out as the best value console not only for 2008, but also for 2009. But I wonder how much Sony had to pay them for the laurels since they've obviously bought all their successes, eh Ane? :D

You should listen to your own advice and stop irrationally hating a faceless corporation for acting like a business. As for the rootkit accusations-- what? Somehow Sony's PS3 business should be looked down upon because of the controversy that Sony BMG (an entirely separate company than Sony's gaming division) idiot execs initiated in a completely unrelated industry?? Yeeeah, that's not an irrational argument at all! :rolleyes:

[TeeCakes]

The Xbox 360 would be miles ahead. Even given Sony's great year, the Xbox 360 had almost three times as many exclusives with a metacritic rating of 80% or above than the PS3 prior to this year. I imagine they only have double that number now. The Wii fares a bit better having only had about half as many exclusives as the 360.

Some of that is releasing early, but the thing is. . . who cares? If you are arguing that someone should get console X because it has the most high quality exclusives then console X must = the 360.

That's not meant to burst Sony fan's bubble though. The PS3 got a HUGE price-drop and released the most and best exclusives this year. As a sign of improvement, this is huge. Let's hope Sony keeps it up.

Who cares about a bunch of games that came out in 2006 that I can find for $4 used at Gamestop today? Gamers want to know what a console's done lately, and from 2008 until today the PS3 has been the console to beat in terms of great exclusives. That isn't going to change for the rest of this gen, most likely.

[bean19]

Who cares about a bunch of games that came out in 2006 that I can find for $4 used at Gamestop today?
Oh, I was talking about the fact that the Xbox 360 has more than twice as many exclusives that have a metacritic rating of 80% or higher than the PS3 over the lifetime of the consoles. I'm not just referencing that the Xbox 360 beat the PS3 in 2006, but that it has beat it each and every year since the console released until now and still has far more high quality exclusives in it's game library than the PS3.

The PS3 finally did well in 2009 and they've had a price drop. It's been a banner year for Sony, but they've been getting their ass handed to them every single year previous to this one.

[Verruckt]

Oh, I was talking about the fact that the Xbox 360 has more than twice as many exclusives that have a metacritic rating of 80% or higher than the PS3 over the lifetime of the consoles. I'm not just referencing that the Xbox 360 beat the PS3 in 2006, but that it has beat it each and every year since the console released until now and still has far more high quality exclusives in it's game library than the PS3.


and how many are actually exclusives?

[bean19]

and how many are actually exclusives?
Your point is that these are only console exclusives; many are also available on PC? That's true.

[Verruckt]

PS3 is definitely still catching up after a very dismal first year. I can only think of 4 exclusives of note within that 1st year, 2 of them were from Insomniac, and 1 was considered a disappointment despite reviews in the 80s. (I loved the game, though)

Also of note is that the 360 had 1 year all by itself as the only next gen console.

[TeeCakes]

Again, what a console's done lately is all the current console-buying population cares about (and thus, all the companies care about). Exclusives like Heavy Rain, Final Fantasy XIV, and God of War 3 are coming out by the dozens this year for PS3 while 360 owners are either left to work with 3rd party multiplatform games, or await the inevitable new Halo-themed moneygrab.

360 may have more overall 80%+ titles but those older titles aren't factored into anybody's console-buying decisions today. The games that will sell systems today will be coming out today.

[bean19]

Again, what a console's done lately is all the current console-buying population cares about (and thus, all the companies care about).
You don't understand the market's behavior Teecakes. People who don't already own a PS3 or an Xbox 360 are worried mostly about the cost. Once either of them is cheap enough then they are worried about whatever games they've had shown to them at a friend's house that they liked.

Game developers (the companies you mentioned) are making multiplatform games for BOTH HD consoles because there is more money in that unless they are owned by Sony or Microsoft or are getting paid by Sony or Microsoft.

Expect the PS3 to make up some ground (not at the holiday - already reports are that the 360 did much better but later on in the year) because they had more great exclusives in 2009 and they had a huge price drop with the Slim, but the price drop is what is doing it more than the games. There were some really cool exclusives on the PS3 this year, but price is more important at this point in the console's lifespan.

Don't get me wrong, the exclusives are helpful. It's just the console price is a much bigger flower in their bonnet.

360 may have more overall 80%+ titles but those older titles aren't factored into anybody's console-buying decisions today. The games that will sell systems today will be coming out today.
They are. People are effected by the games they see at friend's houses or that they've been wanting but couldn't afford. However, this isn't as big a deal as the console's price either. Like I said before, you should expect the PS3 to make up some ground in 2010.

There are definitely "killer apps" that sell systems btw, and they sell a ton of systems when their game launches but they also continue to sell systems even years after they are out. For example, people were buying the Xbox to play Halo (the original) years and years after it came out. Likewise, people bought the Xbox 360 for Gears of War (1&2), Halo 3, Dead Rising, PGR (for those racing people) and Bioshock (when it was exclusive) - among others. The PS3 has had a few killer apps with MGS 3, Uncharted, and LBP. They have God of War III and Gran Turismo coming out in 2010 as killer apps too, so those will definitely help. Heavy Rain also has potential.

The future looks bright for the PS3.